Friday, August 1, 2008

"Recently, the Ground Water Protection Council (GWPC) addressed the Congressional Water Caucus in Washington D.C. to alert them to the growing ground water crisis. Scott Kell, the GWPC president, presented the GWPC's Ground Water Report to the Nation: A Call to Action which reveals that the current rates of water use are unsustainable and are already leading to critical shortages in some areas. Mr. Kell also noted some alarming facts about our ground water:

* The Ogallala Aquifer in the High Plains provides water to eightstates from South Dakota to Texas and has been intensely tapped for irrigation since World War II. As a result, the water levels in this "bread basket of the nation" declined more than 100 feet in some areas.

* Los Angeles' only local water supply, the San Fernando Aquifer, is contaminated with industrial solvents. The contamination is spreading, and pumping is severely restricted, forcing Los Angeles to import 90% or its water from outside sources.

* In water-rich Florida, consequences of the overdraft include dried-up wells, reduced surface water levels, degraded water quality, saltwater intrusion in coastal wells and sinkholes.

Applications must be submitted to The Groundwater Foundation by August 31, 2008. Site must earn a minimum 70% on all applicable questions to be eligible for Groundwater Guardian Green Site designation and to qualify for this promotion.